Commonwealth University of PA Online Counseling Programs
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers online counseling graduate programs, including a 60-credit master of science (MS) program in clinical mental health counseling and a 48-credit master of science (MS) program in school counseling with teacher certification. The university also offers four post-baccalaureate certificates in foundations of trauma-informed care; trauma-informed counseling; military resilience and trauma counseling; and telemental health counseling. These programs are part of the Department of Counseling and Educational Leadership in the College of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences.
All programs deliver courses 100 percent online using a mix of synchronous and asynchronous formats to fit busy schedules. They feature flexible start dates in spring, summer, and fall semesters, or August and January cohorts, and include hands-on practicum and internship experiences completed in person at approved local sites. Expert faculty with real-world experience teach the courses to build practical skills for professional success.
The 60-credit MS in clinical mental health counseling fully online program prepares students to become license-eligible clinical mental health counselors for settings like mental health agencies, hospitals, prisons, private practice, and veterans outreach sites. Students follow a cohort model with full-time or part-time options over 2.5 to four years, including a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship at approved local sites, plus the chance to take the National Counselor Examination in the final semester.
Concentration options cover general clinical mental health counseling with a child, adolescent, or military veteran focus; counseling children and adolescents; or veteran clinical mental health counseling, with unique concentration courses like child and adolescent counseling; counseling military veterans; and reintegration and recovery for veterans and their families.
The six-credit post-baccalaureate certificate in foundations of trauma-informed care is a fully online program that introduces human services professionals, including first responders, educators, and criminal justice personnel, to trauma-informed care. Students learn trauma theory, history, types of trauma, crisis assessment, interventions like psychological first aid, and self-care against vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Key courses include foundations in trauma-informed care and grief and loss counseling.
The 12-credit fully online post-bacc certificate in trauma-informed counseling advances mental health professionals’ skills for clients who have faced trauma, grief, or loss across all ages. It covers trauma history, assessments, diagnoses, evidence-based treatments, crisis intervention, death and dying issues, and self-care for clinicians. Key courses include trauma and crisis counseling; foundations in trauma-informed care; grief and loss counseling; and advanced interventions in trauma-informed counseling.
The nine-credit fully online post-bacc certificate in military resilience and trauma counseling equips professionals to address the resilience and trauma needs of military clients and families. Students explore cultural contexts, resiliency models, mental health challenges, prevention strategies, effective interventions, and community resources for veterans. Key courses include trauma and crisis counseling; issues facing military veterans; and reintegration and recovery for veterans and their families.
The three-credit fully online post-bacc certificate in telemental health counseling trains mental health practitioners to deliver competent, ethical services through technology. Students study ethical and legal issues, best practices for technology-assisted services, and risk management with crisis planning. The key course is telemental health.
The 48-credit fully online MS in school counseling with teacher certification program, with in-person practicum and internship, prepares students to serve as PK-12 school counselors eligible for Pennsylvania certification, aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. It offers full-time or part-time tracks with spring, summer, or fall starts, blending academic theory with practical leadership, advocacy, and change-agent skills, providing student academic, social-emotional, and career support. Key courses include practicum in school counseling; internship in school counseling; career development and post-secondary readiness; and group counseling and leadership skills.
Admission to the MS in clinical mental health counseling requires an online application, official transcripts showing a confirmed bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher grade point average, a current resume, three professional references, a statement of professional goals, and a faculty interview. Certificate programs require an online application, official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 or higher grade point average in mental health or related fields, one professional reference, a statement of professional goals, and a meeting with the program director.
The MS in school counseling calls for a graduate school application, official undergraduate transcript with a 3.0 grade point average, statement of goals, current resume, and three letters of recommendation addressing academic suitability and professional demeanor. All programs welcome applicants from any undergraduate major, accept up to 12 transfer credits from CACREP-accredited programs for the MS in clinical mental health counseling, and do not require GRE scores.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university with campuses in Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield in Pennsylvania. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The MS in clinical mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The MS in school counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for PK-12 certification.
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MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Post-Bacc Certificate in Military Resilience and Trauma Counseling
Post-Bacc Certificate in Telemental Health Counseling
Post-Bacc Certificate in Trauma-Informed Counseling
School Counseling (MS, Teacher Certification)
, Pennsylvania
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two campus visits required
60
January, August
Complete in as few as 2.5-3 years full-time or 3.5-4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$534.00
$32,040.00
$587.00
$35,220.00
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
9
January, August
Can be completed in 2 to 3 semesters
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
9
$534.00
$4,806.00
$587.00
$5,283.00
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
3
January, August
Can be completed in 1 semester
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
3
$534.00
$1,602.00
$587.00
$1,761.00
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
12
January, August
Can be completed in 8 to 12 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
12
$534.00
$6,408.00
$587.00
$7,044.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
48
Spring, Summer, Fall
Can be completed in 2 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
48
$534.00
$25,632.00
$587.00
$28,176.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.